Addressing Sporting Pressures on athletes’ body Image and Relationships with Eating and exercise
| Our ASPIRATIONS | Info for Sporting Organisations | Info for Athletes | Need Some Support? |
If you are experiencing any distress and are in need of support, there are options available for you. See the options below if you are in an emergency, struggling with some strong and distressing thoughts and emotions, or just want to have someone to chat to:
If you live in Australia:
- If you are in an emergency, call 000 or go to your local hospital emergency department
- Make an anonymous call to a support line:
- Lifeline (crisis support) 13 11 14 - https://www.lifeline.org.au/ (opens in a new window)
Beyond Blue (support service) 1300 22 4636 - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ (opens in a new window) - The Butterfly Foundation (body image and eating disorder concerns) 1800 33 4673 - https://butterfly.org.au/ (opens in a new window)
- Lifeline (crisis support) 13 11 14 - https://www.lifeline.org.au/ (opens in a new window)
- Visit your GP and speak with them about getting a referral to see a registered mental health professional
- Categorised athletes that need mental health support can contact the AIS Mental Health Referral Network for free confidential support from a professional who understands high performance sport:
- Email: mentalhealth@sportaus.gov.au
- Phone: +61 2 6214 1130 (Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm AET)
If you live outside of Australia:
Beat (United Kingdom)
Beat operates a helpline (0808 801 0677), an online message board, and online support groups
https://www.b-eat.co.uk/ (opens in a new window)
National Eating Disorders Association (United States of America)
The National Eating Disorders Association operates a helpline (1 800 931 2237), a crisis text line (text “NEDA” to 741741), and a webchat service
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ (opens in a new window)
Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand (New Zealand)
The Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand, or EDANZ, operates a helpline (09 522 2679)
http://www.ed.org.nz/getting-help/ (opens in a new window)
National Eating Disorder Information Centre (Canada)The National Eating Disorder Information Centre, or NEDIC, operates a helpline (1 866 633 4220)
http://nedic.ca/ (opens in a new window)
BodyWhys (Ireland)
BodyWhys operates a helpline (1890 200 444), an email support service, and online and offline support groups
http://www.bodywhys.ie/ (opens in a new window)
Middle East Eating Disorders Association (Middle East)
The Middle East Eating Disorders Association, or MEEDA, operates a webchat service
https://www.meeda.me/ (opens in a new window)
If you live in a region that is not covered by this list, we urge you to contact a health professional (e.g., your doctor) and share your concerns with them. You can reach out to the research team for direction to appropriate support services (aspire@westernsydney.edu.au). Otherwise, you may wish to speak with a trusted friend or family member. The most important thing is to reach out and seek help and advice.